Chapter 5 Berlin (1858-1859) Summary

He begins his "3rd or 4th attempt at education" in November 1858. He stops first in England, which seems not to have changed since Charles I - the high aristocracy and Dickens' world are both readily seen. His trip though Birmingham and the Black District comes as a shock, and the manufacturing area seems like a fiery black pit. "The Black District was a practical education, but it was infinitely far in the distance."

His education progresses backwards - London is still 18th century, and Germany is even older. He quickly makes friends in Berlin and falls into the social scene, and then begins with the University. He finds it to be even worse than Harvard - education there is in the form of endless lectures, which he feels are a waste of time. What little is learned in the...